On September 13, amidst the routine passage of naval vessels from countries like the US, UK, and Canada through the international waters of the Taiwan Strait, the transit of two German navy ships caused a significant stir. The Baden-Wuerttemberg F222 frigate and the Frankfurt am Main A1412 replenishment ship, after concluding their visit to South Korea, sailed from north to south through the Taiwan Strait en route to the Philippines. Arriving in Manila on September 16, the ships docked at Pier 15 of Manila South Harbor for a 4-day visit to the Philippines before heading to Singapore and India.
This transit marked the first passage of German navy ships through the Taiwan Strait in over 20 years as part of the 2024 Indo-Pacific deployment, highlighting Germany’s commitment to upholding the freedom of navigation rights as advocated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law. The visit to the Philippines, amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, attracted widespread international attention.
Chinese Eastern Theater Command spokesperson deemed the German ships’ transit as “overt publicity” and sending “wrong signals.” The Chinese embassy in Germany also emphasized that the Taiwan Strait is Chinese territory, rejecting the notion of it being “international waters.”
In response, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed, “International waters are international waters.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz similarly downplayed the ships’ passage through the Taiwan Strait, stating it’s simply an international waterway.
During the welcoming ceremony in Manila, German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke highlighted the visit as evidence of strengthening defense cooperation between Germany and the Philippines. He underscored Germany’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to upholding international maritime and legal norms and reiterated its willingness to enhance regional security.
The Baden-Wuerttemberg-class frigate of the German navy, also known as the F125 class, boasts cutting-edge technologies developed through a consortium of shipbuilding companies. The vessel’s advanced capabilities allow for extended global deployments without the need for frequent support from bases or shipyards, featuring a combined diesel-electric and gas propulsion system and innovative C3I systems for intelligence gathering.
With a displacement of approximately 7,200 tons, the Baden-Wuerttemberg-class is one of the largest frigates globally, equipped with a range of weaponry including a 127mm OTO Melara gun, two Rheinmetall MLG 27 RWS systems, five OTO Melara Hitrole Naval Turrets, and two RAM Block II missile defense systems. The frigate carries Boeing RGM-84D Harpoon anti-ship missiles and is designed for various missions such as anti-piracy operations, joint patrols, and support for special operations forces.
While the absence of long-range missile systems has sparked debate, the frigate’s stealth features and advanced sensor suites contribute to its operational effectiveness. The vessel’s innovative design, including a distributed C3I layout and flexible armament configurations, ensures operational resilience even under adverse conditions.
Despite limitations in terms of long-range defense systems, the Baden-Wuerttemberg-class frigate’s advanced capabilities make it a formidable asset for fulfilling a wide range of operational requirements. Potential future upgrades, such as the installation of vertical launch systems, could further enhance its ability to operate autonomously in complex environments.